Versailles, France, April 17. - John Verrept, the Belgian airman, was killed today while making a flight at the aerodrome here. His
monoplane collapsed at a height of 600 feet, and he was killed instantly. Friends of Vorrept express the opinion the aviator committed
suicide. He had yesterday, they say, a dispute with his fiancee, to whom he swore he would kill himself. Observers of his flight say they
saw Verrept throw his arms up, and the aeroplane, left to itself, crashed to the ground. The machine was found in perfect working
order. Verrept was 23 years of age.

This is quite a remarkable online resource. Among the several hundred photographs, I found two of
John Verrept. The one which heads this page was extracted from one on the site. The original is seen just below, as well as a second
one which is also found on the site.
If time permits, and especially if you read Dutch, you will find photographs of several other pioneer
aviators on the site. You can access it by clicking on the title above.

Lierenaar en luchtvaartpionier John Verrept op de vliegmeeting van 30 en 31 juli 1911. Minder dan een jaar later stort
hij neer nabij
Versailles. Verrept is dan net 25.
Foto Stadsarchief Lier. "Resident of Lier (a town in Belgium) and aviation pioneer John Verrept at
the aviation meeting of 30 and 31
July 1911. Less than a year later he died near
Versailles. Verrept was then just 25.
Foto from City Archives of Lier."Translation courtesy of Dave Lamfrom
Een eeuw in beeld 1909 - 1911

Lierenaar en luchtvaartpionier John Verrept op de vliegmeeting van 30 en 31 juli 1911. Minder dan een jaar later stort
hij neer nabij
Versailles. Verrept is dan net 25.
Foto Stadsarchief Lier. "Resident of Lier (a town in Belgium) and aviation pioneer John Verrept at
the aviation meeting of 30 and 31
July 1911. Less than a year later he died near
Versailles. Verrept was then just 25.
Foto from City Archives of Lier."Translation courtesy of Dave Lamfrom
Een eeuw in beeld 1909 - 1911

John Verrept crashed and died on April 17, 1912Email from Bob Davis, 8-20-05

Editor's Note:
If you have any more information on this pioneer aviator
please contact me.
E-mail to Ralph Cooper